The Rookie Season 7 has brought back several familiar faces, including characters we haven’t seen in years. Notably, Tim Bradford’s ex-girlfriend, Rachel Hall (Jasmine Mathews), made her return after a five-year absence since Season 2, while Abigail Tierney (Madeleine Coghlan), Henry Nolan’s ex-fiancée, last appeared in Season 3! Another character overdue for a comeback in Season 8 is John Nolan’s former love interest, Jessica Russo (Sarah Shahi). Russo, a skilled Homeland Security agent and a former FBI hostage negotiation expert, dated John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) during the show’s early episodes. Though their relationship ended, recent plot developments create an ideal opportunity for her to re-enter Nolan’s life. We believe it’s time to bring Jessica Russo back into the world of The Rookie!
Explore the Early Relationship Between Jessica Russo and John Nolan in Season 1
Jessica Russo made her first appearance in The Rookie during the fifteenth episode of the first season, titled “Manhunt,” where she provided crucial consultation to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Mid-Wilshire Division. To put this into context, that episode originally aired in March 2019, marking over six years since Russo graced our screens. In this episode, Russo shared her expertise with the officers on handling bomb threats and navigating hostage negotiation scenarios. During her subsequent appearance in Season 1, Episode 17, “The Shake Up,” a romantic spark ignited between Russo and Nolan, leading to the development of their relationship. The chemistry was palpable, and their romance continued into the second season, which made sense given Nolan’s newfound single status after ending things with fellow rookie officer Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil).
Tragically, the relationship between Nolan and Russo hit a snag after a pregnancy scare in the Season 2 episode titled “Safety.” Although the situation turned out to be a false alarm, Russo came to the realization that she was ready for motherhood, a commitment that Nolan was not prepared to embrace at that stage in his life. Sadly, this led to Russo’s departure from the series, and fans have been left without any updates on her character for over five years now!
Sarah Shahi brought a compelling presence to the series as a recurring character, and her dynamic with Nathan Fillion was engaging to watch. Their characters’ relationship blossomed beautifully, making the eventual breakup all the more poignant. Nolan’s hesitation to commit came after his recent divorce and during the early stages of his career with the LAPD, which made Russo’s exit even more heartbreaking. The unresolved nature of their relationship leaves viewers pondering what might have been if circumstances had differed for Russo and Nolan. While Russo’s desire for motherhood is clear, it raises the question: would their relationship have flourished had they continued dating? This is an intriguing narrative thread that recent developments in Season 7 have set up perfectly for Russo’s return.
Related
’The Rookie’s Showrunner Teases a Big Season 8 Arc Coming for This Fan-Favorite Character
Alexi Hawley teases where things are headed next season.
The Monica Stevens Plotline Offers an Ideal Opportunity to Bring Jessica Russo Back
The Season 7 finale of The Rookie unveiled significant developments, particularly regarding the cunning Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan). It was revealed that Monica received an immunity deal from the federal government, a deal that was connected to the stolen intelligence she orchestrated. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Matthew Garza (Felix Solis) provided insight, explaining that the government was under pressure from the intelligence community and the Justice Department due to the sensitive nature of the intel involved. Garza noted that the implications of a potential leak were severe, categorizing the intel as “beyond national intelligence, including sources and methods.” This intriguing backdrop sets the stage perfectly for Jessica Russo’s return to the narrative.
When Russo last appeared, she was employed by Homeland Security, placing her within the intelligence community that would undoubtedly be assessing the compromised intel that Monica stole. The most fitting way to reintroduce Russo would be to position her as an investigator looking into Monica’s activities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is involved in numerous critical areas, including cybersecurity, economic security, and combatting cyber threats, all of which align with the recent plotlines concerning Monica’s actions in Season 6, particularly her involvement in the Federal Reserve heist and the stolen intel in Season 7.
Bringing Russo back would benefit the show on multiple fronts. First, it revitalizes a cherished character and a talented actress into the series. Second, it opens the door for viewers to learn about Russo’s life since we last saw her. Has she started a family or remarried? Has her career in DHS progressed? Given Russo’s competence and ambition, it would not be surprising if she had ascended to a high-ranking position, such as Secretary or Deputy Secretary of DHS, all while balancing her professional life with motherhood. Third, this return would provide a long-awaited reunion with Nolan, highlighting the significant changes that both characters have experienced over the years.
Russo’s Return Would Bring Closure to Her Relationship With John Nolan
While the return of Rachel Hall during Season 7 felt somewhat surprising and abrupt, it ultimately created positive outcomes for the characters involved. It revealed crucial details regarding Rachel and Tim’s off-screen relationship, clarifying that their breakup was not as straightforward as it seemed when Rachel left for New York. Moreover, it was disclosed that Lucy provided Rachel with a heads-up before embarking on her own relationship with Tim, which added depth to their dynamics. This development allowed Tim and Rachel to achieve the closure they both needed, which was gratifying for viewers. Similarly, it is essential that Nolan and Russo receive the same opportunity for closure. Although their breakup was not explicitly depicted off-screen, there remains unresolved tension that Russo’s return could effectively address.
Envisioning Russo’s potential return sparks the prospect of showcasing both characters thriving in their respective lives and careers, even after their relationship ended. Additionally, it would be fascinating to witness the interaction between Nolan’s second wife, Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan), and Russo. Given their contrasting yet complementary backgrounds, the two women could form a friendship rather than engage in rivalry. Ultimately, Russo’s return is a narrative necessity that should be explored in Season 8! With Season 8 currently in development and set to premiere later next year, there remains a genuine possibility for Russo’s long-awaited comeback to The Rookie.
Discover More About The Rookie
- Release Date
-
October 16, 2018
- Network
-
ABC
- Showrunner
-
Alexi Hawley
- Directors
-
Tori Garrett, Chi-Yoon Chung, Michael Goi, Sylvain White, Lisa Demaine, Lanre Olabisi, Bill Johnson, David McWhirter, Liz Friedlander, Daniel Willis, Toa Fraser, Anne Renton, Jon Huertas, Cherie Nowlan, TK Shom, Rob Seidenglanz, Valerie Weiss, Barbara Brown, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul, SJ Main Muñoz, Nelson McCormick, Marcus Stokes, Adam Davidson, Anna Mastro
- Writers
-
Corey Miller, Bill Rinier, Zoe Cheng, Mary Trahan, Ally Seibert, Liz Alper, Nick Hurwitz, Racheal Seymour, Madeleine Coghlan, David Radcliff
